LHS Principal's Update 5/9/25
District Calendar: Click here
School Instagram at lhsbluedevilnation
Free Concert
The LHS Chorus will be presenting a free Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 pm in the Cousins Performing Arts Center at Leominster High School. Come hear the LHS Chorus, Bella Voce, Ain't No Treble, and Ignition Show Choir perform. Doors open at 6:30 pm. There will be a bake sale and 50/50 raffle. hope to see you there.
Art Win!
The art department is thrilled to announce the accomplishment of one of our freshmen, Sophie Lopez. Her artwork titled “Still LIfe” was chosen as a winner in the category of Painting at the Annual Congressional Art Competition. This was Sophie's first oil painting too!!! Below is an image of Sophie next to her painting of an apple and lemon at the City Wide Art Exhibit back in March.
Sophie and her family are invited to a reception at Congressman McGovern’s Worcester district office later this month to celebrate her accomplishment.
Summer School
This summer we will be returning to the pre-COVID model of in-person summer school. Although we will be able to make some accommodations for families who will not be in Leominster, the primary format for Summer School will be a five week in person program Monday through Thursday starting the first week of July.
I am having staff reach out to families of students who are in danger of failing a course for the year next week, and I will send an email out as well to make sure families know what help their student can get so they don’t fail, and about summer school in case they do fail.
Graduation Information
Graduation is coming soon!
To help families stay informed (because I know teenagers don’t always keep parents up to date) I made a page on the school website with graduation information. There is a schedule of events and a Frequently Asked Questions to help you out. https://www.leominsterps.org/schools/leominster-high-school/graduation
Pre-Prom Information
With prom and graduation season upon us, we are approaching a fun and exciting time for students and their families. We want to urge you to do all that you can to make it a happy and safe time for your teen.
It’s important to remember that it’s a crime to provide alcohol to those under the age of 21, even at a supervised party at your own home. It’s also important to know that if you choose to host a party where you serve alcohol to those under the age of 21, you can be held liable if one of your guests drinks alcohol and harms themselves or others while impaired. Even if you are not actively providing alcohol to underage drinkers, it is a dangerous choice and illegal to harbor or allow for teen drinking parties in your home.
Each year, we lose far too many of our teenagers to motor vehicle crashes, with an increase in alcohol-related traffic fatalities on prom and graduation weekends. As a parent or guardian, you have the opportunity to help ensure the safety of your children and others by helping them make the right choices around drinking and driving.
It’s important to stress to your teens that choices they make can have lasting consequences. It’s imperative that they understand that using good judgment, especially when it comes to drugs, alcohol and distracted driving, can save lives.
With these dangers, we encourage you to take a number of steps to assist your children in staying safe:
• Reinforce your expectations and remind them that there are consequences, both at school and at home if they are caught drinking or using drugs.
• Offer your teens transportation alternatives.
• If you are able to, hire or share professional transportation for your teen’s prom night.
• Give your teen an “out”. Let them blame you if they need to leave a party or situation. Make sure they know they can call or text you to ask for a ride home.
Please view the link regarding Social Host Liability by District Attorney Joseph Earley Jr. and then fill the short survey below. The survey must be completed in order for your student to purchase their prom tickets.
Link for Social Host Liability Video Here
Link for Survey Here
Attendance Data
Attendance is absolutely essential for academic success. Ideally, our attendance would be above 95% of students present every day.
Right now we are dropping fast and are at 90.9% for the year. Please make every effort to get your student to school as much as possible.
Attendance over the last 10 school days:
Grade 9: 89.9%
Grade 10: 89.1%
Grade 11: 89.1%
Grade 12: 82.3%
Substitute Teachers
LHS has need of a few people with a lot of patience and savviness to help us out as substitute teachers. Please email me if you are interested.
School Schedule next week: Shop Week B
Monday: Day 7
Tuesday: Day 1
Wednesday: Day 2
Thursday: Day 3
Friday: Day 4
Next Week’s Athletic Schedule
https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=12673
Reminders:
MCAS Update
The state department of education has published a Frequently Asked Questions page to address the ballot question change to the MCAS. The page can be viewed at https://mcusercontent.com/d8f37d1a90dacd97f207f0b4a/files/8eaaf0b1-29d7-6ec7-18d3-a45618a560e4/DESE_CD_FAQ_updated_12_11_2024.pdf
To summarize, passing the MCAS test is no longer required for students to receive a diploma; instead they must meet the local graduation requirements, which can be found on page 15 in the LHS Student Handbook (https://www.leominsterps.org/schools/leominster-high-school/index).
In compliance with federal law, students will still take the MCAS, but do not need to pass it to graduate. Leominster High School itself will still be evaluated by the state based on MCAS scores. MCAS scores will also be used to determine eligibility for the Adams Scholarship, the Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, and the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, so there is still significant incentive for students to perform well on MCAS, without facing a negative impact if they do not pass the test.
Transportation
This year we are continuing the use of the First View bus app. This user-friendly tool allows families to monitor school bus routes in real time. The link to instructions can be found on our website and Facebook page. The district code is T7G3. If you have questions or issues with buses, please email transportation@leominsterps.org. School bus routes are on the district website at https://www.leominsterps.org/.
Calling for student absences
If your student is going to be absent please call the school at 978-534-7715. The absence line is option 1.
If you get an auto-call that your student is marked as absent and you think they are at school, don’t panic. Sometimes they accidentally get marked absent (especially with a sub) and sometimes they do cut class. Call the school and we will confirm they are not here.
School Attendance:
It is essential for you to get your student to school as much as possible. I am compelled by law to work to get your student to school as often as possible. Absences are excused by a doctor or dentist’s note, court appearance, college visit, driving license appointment. Vacations are not excused absences.
Student Dismissals
If you need to dismiss your student you can send them to school with a note to bring to the office when they get to school. Your student will receive a pass to be dismissed and can just check out at the office when it is time for them to go. You won’t need to come into the school and it’s much faster than coming in to dismiss your student.
Please have the note state the time you need the student to leave, not the time of the appointment!
Immigration Resources
The District has added a page of resources related to immigration.
Joshua Romano
Principal